Scottsdale contestant to appear on TV’s ‘Love Island’
COVID-19 isn’t stopping 11 “sexy singles” from embarking on a “summer of love.”
And a Scottsdale woman is among the cast members who have signed up to date for viewers’ entertainment on the “Love Island” reality show.
Mackenzie Dipman, 24, is among the first batch of contestants who will be featured on Season 2 of the dating show. In the Aug. 24 premiere episode, five pairs will couple up based on first impressions before an 11th member enters to lure a woman away.
Dipman, whose occupation is listed as a student, says Matthew McConaughey is her celebrity crush. He is “a version of my dream man – a southern gentleman with a Texas accent,” according to a CBS press release.
Dipman’s fellow cast members include personal trainers, a model and a sales manager. As the participants couple up, break up and get “dumped” from the show based on votes from peers and the public, others will take their place over the weeks of filming. Season 1 spanned 22 episodes.
How will ‘Love Island’ film during COVID-19?
“Love Island” is a self-contained production that rarely allows its cast to leave the set for dates and outings. Earlier this summer, the U.K’s version of “Love Island” canceled its plans for filming, which usually takes place abroad, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The U.S. series will be filmed atop The Cromwell Las Vegas Hotel and Casino while the cast and crew are sequestered in a bubble. The boutique hotel’s website says it is temporarily closed.
“After months spent in isolation and virtual dating, Islanders will finally have the opportunity to date and get to know each other IRL (in real life) while shooting in Las Vegas,” the CBS statement reads.
How to watch ‘Love Island’
Season 2 premieres with a two-hour episode at 8 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 24, on Channel 5 (KPHO). After that, a new hour-long episode will air at 9 p.m. daily, allowing viewers to vote for their favorite and least favorite couples in real time.
There will be a two-hour recap episode at 8 p.m. on Saturdays that include deleted scenes. Episodes will be available for streaming on CBS All Access.